Mets' concern growing for ailing slugger Duda

NEW YORK — Lucas Duda was out of the lineup again Saturday with a bad back, and Mets manager Terry Collins certainly sounded worried about his power-hitting first baseman.

Collins said Duda was examined by a doctor and had an MRI exam. He will have another test this weekend and sit out today as well.

Asked whether Duda could be sidelined longer than that, Collins said it was too early to tell. Pressed for specifics, he acknowledged Duda could have a disc problem.

"It's pretty concerning. He's tried to go out the last couple games and played and it's still bothering him," Collins said. "We had him examined by a doctor (Saturday) and it was recommended he take a couple of days so, you know, that could lead to something else. So we'll just have to wait and see."

In other news, struggling RHP Matt Harvey threw on the main mound at Citi Field against hitters to simulate game conditions. Collins said the Mets wouldn't decide which day Harvey will start this week at Washington until he completed his workout.

Duda hit 57 homers over the past two seasons and normally provides protection for cleanup man Yoenis Cespedes in the middle of the batting order.

Duda is batting .231 with seven home runs, 19 RBIs and a .297 on-base percentage that is 46 points below his career mark.

DUGOUT FLOODED: There were plumbing issues in the visitor's dugout at the Oakland Coliseum before the game against the Yankees. Several maintenance workers spent nearly an hour trying to fix a backed-up toilet while a member of the Coliseum staff mopped up the standing water seeping into the dugout. Also, the Yankees plan to activate DH Alex Rodriguez from the disabled list Tuesday. Rodriguez has been out since May 4 with a strained right hamstring.

CUBS: RF Jason Heyward will miss three to five games with a bruise on his right side near his ribs.

MARINERS: SS Ketel Marte left in the fifth inning because of sprained left thumb.

MARLINS: LF Christian Yelich was scratched because of back spasms and is day to day.

ROYALS: 3B Mike Moustakas, who had been out with a left thumb injury, was activated off the 15-day disabled list. INF Cheslor Cuthbert was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

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